My early ownership comments on the Yamaha R3

[JAFO]

Growing up in the states and always having 750 to 1000cc bikes I was a bit hesitant to go with a smaller cc moto. Sure I love the power of big CC's but as a guy who has ridden and raced motos and only weighing 155 lbs the big bike here wasn't a necessity. So I took the plunge and bought the 2016 Yamaha R3. But honestly i figured if it didn't work out it was only 180, 000 baht. I have always been a Yam owner. (FZR's, YZF's). I have to say I am impressed with this little Yamaha's mid range and moreover its handling. In traffic. Its very nimble. On the twisty roads up North where I live it is a blast to flip back and forth and honestly not as tiring as moving the big liter bikes around. Sure as you lean over and come up straight the big CC moto's are fun to twist throttle but here what I have found is most of the roads are generally poorly engineered with little banking and mostly flat turns. Not all are like that but I have found most are. I found some nice roads driving my truck and will try those soon. The only negative I have found with the R3 is unlike a YZF R1, this moto requires a descent amount of shifting to keep the bike at a good power range where as a liter bike is a bit more forgiving. That just takes some getting used too.

Overall I really like the R3. I think with a Yosh or Akrapovic exhaust and a Power Commander fuel management system to get a bit more lower end this little 300cc moto could really be a fun deal with a minimal cash outlay. I will likely add those things in the coming months as time allows. unfortunately work eats up my time,

Cheers

[revgreen]

Good to hear. I was really wanting this or the naked MT03, but ended up with the CB300F due to the cost being substantially lower and Honda dealerships being much more common where I live.

I do believe my next bike will be an R3, assuming I don't move up to something in the 500-600 cc range.

[Mansell]

I would highly recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Having rented and ridden the Honda single cylinder 250 in northern Thailand, I thought it was an awful bike, especially as the next day I rented the Ninja 250. Why anybody would want one cylinder is beyond me. I think the Yamaha is a twin, so it should be fun. With the Ninja 300 I could leave the big boys standing at the lights....of course they caught up pretty quickly, but they just couldn't get off the line as fast. Until the 300 was introduced Kawasaki's best selling bike was the 250, and the best selling bike period. There is a reason you can find many new Hondas 250 and 300s for sale as people get disalusioned with them pretty quickly. Ride a twin and you will be converted very quickly.

Edited May 21, 2016 by Mansell

[Centrum]

I ride with a group and among them are a CB300F, a Ninja 300, a Benelli 302 and an R3. The R3 is the standout bike without a doubt.

An exhaust, EJK fuel controller and a Hi-flow filter and it's a blast. 43 HP.

[Aragorn]

YZF's generally don't disappoint.

[papa al]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

Edited May 21, 2016 by papa al

[kaorop]

Very nice bike, great for the conditions in Thailand the few times i've ridden a friends .

I will say in my limited runs against that one, my "only a pipe and taller gearing" NSR150SP could out drag and out run it (just) but probably uses twice the fuel and more work to ride!

[MatteoBassini]

I would highly recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Having rented and ridden the Honda single cylinder 250 in northern Thailand, I thought it was an awful bike, especially as the next day I rented the Ninja 250. Why anybody would want one cylinder is beyond me. I think the Yamaha is a twin, so it should be fun. With the Ninja 300 I could leave the big boys standing at the lights....of course they caught up pretty quickly, but they just couldn't get off the line as fast. Until the 300 was introduced Kawasaki's best selling bike was the 250, and the best selling bike period. There is a reason you can find many new Hondas 250 and 300s for sale as people get disalusioned with them pretty quickly. Ride a twin and you will be converted very quickly.

Tell me the differences between single cylinder and 2, that isn't sound.

[papa al]

twin: smaller pistons, higher rpm, more power

single: cheaper

&c.

[revgreen]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

I have no idea what this is supposed to even mean??? Are you on the piss today to make up for the lack of alcohol yesterday?

[Jdiddy]

I rented one in chiangmai for a month last year, rode it to Mukdahan in 1 day, held up pretty good on the mountain ranges and the flats though at times i was maxing it out and wanted more power

Imo better then the ninja300 and alot better then the cbr300

[Happy Grumpy]

this little 300cc moto

321cc.

Thanks for the report.

I think many thinking about this would also be considering the CBR500.

[papa al]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

I have no idea what this is supposed to even mean??? Are you on the piss today to make up for the lack of alcohol yesterday?

That's it! papa "on the piss."

?

Yamaha was established in 1887 as a piano and reed organ manufacturer by Torakusu Yamaha as Nippon Gakki Company, Limited. in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture and was incorporated on October 12, 1897. The company's origins as a musical instrument manufacturer are still reflected today in the group's logo—a trio of interlocking tuning forks.

[Meena999]

Does any of the bike shops import big bikes eg:1000cc, I've been looking around but haven't seen any.

[kaorop]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

I have no idea what this is supposed to even mean??? Are you on the piss today to make up for the lack of alcohol yesterday?

That's it! papa "on the piss."

?

Yamaha was established in 1887 as a piano and reed organ manufacturer by Torakusu Yamaha as Nippon Gakki Company, Limited. in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture and was incorporated on October 12, 1897. The company's origins as a musical instrument manufacturer are still reflected today in the group's logo—a trio of interlocking tuning forks.

Yes they are good, currently running 22 (not all bikes) including this real one (though its a John Walker from England)

And yes I would buy from them if they made such things Be rude not too!

[JAFO]

Hey fellow riders, the intent of my post was to offer one riders comments for others considering a moto in the 300 class not to cite a debate between makers. I like the class. It's a good fit for Thailand. Like I mentioned it needs a tad bit more low end and a good pipe system to really have even more fun.

[papa al]

Sure.

good pipe [not original] = illegal

[JAFO]

Sure.

good pipe [not original] = illegal

Nothing legal is fun when it comes to moto riding. Same with virtually any motorsport activity. It's why the aftermarket industry does so well. The manufacturers are gated by build regulations. Modifying has never stopped me and never will.

[Happy Grumpy]

Sure.

good pipe [not original] = illegal

Incorrect.

Some have a TIS Stamp to indicate that they are legal for road use in Thailand.

[Happy Grumpy]

Sure.

good pipe [not original] = illegal

Nothing legal is fun when it comes to moto riding. Same with virtually any motorsport activity. It's why the aftermarket industry does so well. The manufacturers are gated by build regulations. Modifying has never stopped me and never will.

Indeed.

Nowadays they get hit with a double whammy -- both EU regs and US regs - one has it packed up for emissions, and the other has it packed up for noise levels.

First thing to do with a bike is get that packed-up anchor off, and get a system on that allows the engine and bike to behave as it should.

As for the R3, most high-revving twins will suffer a bit down low.

Thankfully there is a choice now in this market - want a low revving low-mid size twin, get the CBR500(471cc - 47hp), and a high revving one that will be a bit of a blast to ride, get the R3 (321cc - 43hp).

I think that they're a fantastic bike, get a full system, air-filter and fuel-controller and it would be great.

[Nickymaster]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

Honda and Kawasaki make guitars?

[revgreen]

Yamaha = good.

Would you buy a guitar from Honda or Kawasaki?

?

Ok then.

I have no idea what this is supposed to even mean??? Are you on the piss today to make up for the lack of alcohol yesterday?

That's it! papa "on the piss."

?

Yamaha was established in 1887 as a piano and reed organ manufacturer by Torakusu Yamaha as Nippon Gakki Company, Limited. in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture and was incorporated on October 12, 1897. The company's origins as a musical instrument manufacturer are still reflected today in the group's logo—a trio of interlocking tuning forks.

I'm aware.. I'm a musician.. But what do guitars have to do with motorcycles?

[papa al]

Finely tuned machines?

[fullcave]

Has Yamaha Thailand released the new color schemes yet? I've already seen them in Europe. I suppose it's a matter of them selling down the old stock.

[drift]

Hey fellow riders, the intent of my post was to offer one riders comments for others considering a moto in the 300 class not to cite a debate between makers. I like the class. It's a good fit for Thailand. Like I mentioned it needs a tad bit more low end and a good pipe system to really have even more fun.

Edited May 22, 2016 by drift

[fullcave]

Hmm. Looks great. So have they released the new color scheme or not? Oddly they are still showing the old color scheme at the Thai Yamaha site but the new color scheme on the parts brochure.http://www.yamaha-motor.co.th/2014/product.php/type/street/title/Yamaha-YZF-R3-2015

[watso63]

I owned the original bad boy 2004 ZX10R for 8 years before retiring to Thailand. Of course I hungered for a bike here but all things considered I chose the Z300 recently. A well finished bike not lacking in features. Of course I miss the grunt of a superbike but I'm happy with my choice. A great fun little bike with a 190 km/h top speed. Plenty for Thailand. Check out the attached video.

Edited May 23, 2016 by watso63

[Katipo]

I would highly recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Having rented and ridden the Honda single cylinder 250 in northern Thailand, I thought it was an awful bike, especially as the next day I rented the Ninja 250. Why anybody would want one cylinder is beyond me. I think the Yamaha is a twin, so it should be fun. With the Ninja 300 I could leave the big boys standing at the lights....of course they caught up pretty quickly, but they just couldn't get off the line as fast. Until the 300 was introduced Kawasaki's best selling bike was the 250, and the best selling bike period. There is a reason you can find many new Hondas 250 and 300s for sale as people get disalusioned with them pretty quickly. Ride a twin and you will be converted very quickly.

I had 5 bikes in Thailand, from a 125cc up to a 1 litre, and I agree with you completely with regards to the Ninja 250. I enjoyed it more than any other bike I owned. The combination of being relatively light and nimble, as well as easier to navigate in city conditions, meant it was the best all round bike I have ridden. I actually shed a tear when I sold it. If I were to buy a new bike, I would look into the R3, but the reviews I have read about the lighter more modern Ninja 300 (compared to the 250) would mean it would be the first I would consider.

[fullcave]

I would highly recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Having rented and ridden the Honda single cylinder 250 in northern Thailand, I thought it was an awful bike, especially as the next day I rented the Ninja 250. Why anybody would want one cylinder is beyond me. I think the Yamaha is a twin, so it should be fun. With the Ninja 300 I could leave the big boys standing at the lights....of course they caught up pretty quickly, but they just couldn't get off the line as fast. Until the 300 was introduced Kawasaki's best selling bike was the 250, and the best selling bike period. There is a reason you can find many new Hondas 250 and 300s for sale as people get disalusioned with them pretty quickly. Ride a twin and you will be converted very quickly.

I had 5 bikes in Thailand, from a 125cc up to a 1 litre, and I agree with you completely with regards to the Ninja 250. I enjoyed it more than any other bike I owned. The combination of being relatively light and nimble, as well as easier to navigate in city conditions, meant it was the best all round bike I have ridden. I actually shed a tear when I sold it. If I were to buy a new bike, I would look into the R3, but the reviews I have read about the lighter more modern Ninja 300 (compared to the 250) would mean it would be the first I would consider.

I have a ninja 300 and it's a great bike and perfect for Thai roads. Highly recommended. Did some modifications like full system and high flow air filter. I had a Ninja 250 before that and the n300 is a much better bike ie. slipper clutch, ABS and way more low-end power. I've had both a 300 cbr and the 500 cbr sold both kept the n300 for my son. My next bike will be the R3 as I want to try something new and it's basically the same class as my son's N300. I ordered the full system exhaust and am only waiting for the new colors to be released. No hurry..

[mark131v]

I would highly recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Having rented and ridden the Honda single cylinder 250 in northern Thailand, I thought it was an awful bike, especially as the next day I rented the Ninja 250. Why anybody would want one cylinder is beyond me. I think the Yamaha is a twin, so it should be fun. With the Ninja 300 I could leave the big boys standing at the lights....of course they caught up pretty quickly, but they just couldn't get off the line as fast. Until the 300 was introduced Kawasaki's best selling bike was the 250, and the best selling bike period. There is a reason you can find many new Hondas 250 and 300s for sale as people get disalusioned with them pretty quickly. Ride a twin and you will be converted very quickly.

I had 5 bikes in Thailand, from a 125cc up to a 1 litre, and I agree with you completely with regards to the Ninja 250. I enjoyed it more than any other bike I owned. The combination of being relatively light and nimble, as well as easier to navigate in city conditions, meant it was the best all round bike I have ridden. I actually shed a tear when I sold it. If I were to buy a new bike, I would look into the R3, but the reviews I have read about the lighter more modern Ninja 300 (compared to the 250) would mean it would be the first I would consider.

I have a ninja 300 and it's a great bike and perfect for Thai roads. Highly recommended. Did some modifications like full system and high flow air filter. I had a Ninja 250 before that and the n300 is a much better bike ie. slipper clutch, ABS and way more low-end power. I've had both a 300 cbr and the 500 cbr sold both kept the n300 for my son. My next bike will be the R3 as I want to try something new and it's basically the same class as my son's N300. I ordered the full system exhaust and am only waiting for the new colors to be released. No hurry..

I look forward to reading your thoughts especially as you have had a N300 as well, I had an R3 and a CBX500 and much preferred the R3 if I was after a bit of fun so the N300 and R3 sound a good match, back in the UK now and I am on a Fazer 800 and though it is a complete step up from the bikes I had in Thailand I still miss the R3....

Edited May 24, 2016 by mark131v